Chamber of Commerce says: I'm With Audrey

[Jimmy]

The Times-Union is reporting that the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, through its JaxBiz arm, will announce tomorrow their endorsement of Audrey Moran's campaign for Mayor.

That's a big get.

[Jimmy]

This isn't coming from Audrey Moran or her campaign.  Apparently Mullaney himself has issued a press release about the news.  Maybe trying to steal some thunder from Moran and the Chamber ahead of tomorrow's announcement.

TU on this: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403455/paul-pinkham/2011-01-25/rick-mullaney-says-chamber-commerce-endorsing-audrey

[Jimmy]

What I find interesting is that the Chamber declined to give any real consideration to Mr. Hogan.

[stjr]

Do you think for once the Chamber is actually realizing that quality of life issues are on par with, or even more important than, the last decimal of tax bills and the last period in regulations in stimulating a strong and stable economy that lifts all boats?  For the first time in all my years living in Jax, I am hearing that issues such as education and outreach to the less fortunate in our community, environment and controlling growth, and fostering cultural assets are actually of importance to many in the business community.  If this is for real, then hopefully someone who promises to deliver on all these fronts is anointed by the Chamber's endorsement.

So far, it appears that Hogan wants to free builders from regulation and gut the City's budget even more while Mullaney wants to take another whack at the City procurement process he helped to lose its way so many times prior while also emasculating the City budget with more tax cuts. (In fact, Mullaney sounds more and more like Hogan than Moran.) Most business people will tell you that the only ultimate way to build your financial well being is via investment.  While one must be cost conscious, one can not cut your way to growth.

[tufsu1]

Do you think for once the Chamber is actually realizing that quality of life issues are on par with, or even more important than, the last decimal of tax bills and the last period in regulations in stimulating a strong and stable economy that lifts all boats?  For the first time in all my years living in Jax, I am hearing that issues such as education and outreach to the less fortunate in our community, environment and controlling growth, and fostering cultural assets are actually of importance to many in the business community.  If this is for real, then hopefully someone who promises to deliver on all these fronts is anointed by the Chamber's endorsement.

in talking with someone who was part of the voting process, that is exactly what they now realize.

also, from what I understand, Mullaney didn't exactly lose to Moran by a "narrow margin"

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I'm confused.....  With a sales tax and gas tax increase, what 'small business' is going to be affected?  All of these tax increases get passed directly to the consumer. 

I charge tax on every sale, whether it be 5% or 50%, my customer knows that's getting added on at the end of the sale. 

We had a similar 'controversy' when the city/state started charging and additional alcohol tax on adult beverages.  This was line-itemed immediately to the bill and after a few months the shock factor was down and acceptance crept in. 

I don't see how this is any different.  Get over yourselves, because the majority of all costs (if not all) get passed to the consumer and flow through the business.

[fieldafm]

Do you think for once the Chamber is actually realizing that quality of life issues are on par with, or even more important than, the last decimal of tax bills and the last period in regulations in stimulating a strong and stable economy that lifts all boats?  For the first time in all my years living in Jax, I am hearing that issues such as education and outreach to the less fortunate in our community, environment and controlling growth, and fostering cultural assets are actually of importance to many in the business community.  If this is for real, then hopefully someone who promises to deliver on all these fronts is anointed by the Chamber's endorsement.

Amazing what a few trips to other cities and discussions with their business leaders about how to do things right can change someone's mind...

I find that when you show someone how easy and fruitful doing the right things can be, they tend to want to follow suit.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

 Most business people will tell you that the only ultimate way to build your financial well being is via investment.  While one must be cost conscious, one can not cut your way to growth.[/b]

Only the successful ones. 

We have been hurt deeply by the recession, but the one thing that I wouldn't allow is for us to cut to the bone.  It hurt, and it still hurts, to keep certain people on, but we're better for it today.  The times are starting to change for the better, although not great, but we wouldn't be able to keep up with demand today had we cut everything that was on the list 3 years ago.  We would have lost great craftsmen and employees - the kind that will find another source of employment in any market - had we just let them go.   Instead, we refined our processes, made due and are starting to see new growth in the market.  The projections aren't great, but they're still on an upward trend, which is more than I could say this time in the last 3-4 years, so we are looknig to expand. 

I think that we are in the position today because of proper management a few years ago.  COJ has that to look forward to....  If they are able to understand what happened and why, and they have survived the'storm' then they (the next mayor) would be in a great position to grow mightily in the next 4 years. 

To use a baseball (and possibly sports everywhere) term, "They know their floor, it's their ceiling that's unpredictable & exciting!"